De Swaen
| Company type | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Fine dining |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Henk Aan de Stegge (owner) |
| Fate | Closed in 2004; reopened as Brasserie De Swaen in 2006 |
| Headquarters | Oisterwijk , Netherlands |
Key people | Cas Spijkers (head chef), Piet Rutten (director and front of house manager), Alan Pearson (head chef from 2001) |
| Products | Fine dining cuisine |
De Swaen was a prestigious dining establishment located in Oisterwijk, Netherlands, recognized with one or two Michelin stars intermittently from 1981 through 1998. The restaurant earned two stars from 1984 until 1991 and held a single star during the periods 1981–1983 and 2002–2003.
Overview
Following extensive renovations, Hotel De Swaen commenced operations in 1978. The proprietor, Henk Aan de Stegge, appointed John van Dun to manage the venue alongside head chef Cas Spijkers. Shortly afterwards, chef Piet Rutten joined the team. When Van Dun departed in 1980, Rutten assumed the roles of director and front of house manager, while Spijkers continued as the culinary leader.
The Michelin star was lost after Spijkers resigned from his position as head chef. In 2001, Alan Pearson succeeded him and was able to restore the Michelin star, but the restaurant ultimately ceased operations in 2004. It later reopened in 2006 under the name "Brasserie De Swaen".
Controversy
In 2005, writer Ronald Giphart released Troost, a work reportedly inspired by Cas Spijkers and De Swaen. Spijkers expressed astonishment at being associated with the restaurant’s downturn, emphasizing that he had left well before the loss of its Michelin stars.
Star overview
- 1981–1983: one star
- 1984–1991: two stars
- 1992–1998: one star
- 1999–2002: no stars
- 2003–2004: one star